Aria’s body still ached from the night before, but it wasn’t the pain that kept her awake it was Alejandro. The way he kissed her, the way his hands explored every inch of her skin, the way he made her forget every danger surrounding them. But the moment the sun rose, reality came crashing back. She turned in bed, half expecting to see him beside her, but the sheets were cold. He was gone. A sharp pang hit her chest. She sat up, wrapping the blanket around herself. Last night had been different. It wasn’t just passion it was something more. Something terrifying. Before she could dwell on it, a knock sounded at the door. "Aria?" It was Maria. Aria exhaled, pushing back her emotions. "Come in." Maria stepped inside, her expression unreadable. She shut the door behind her, then crossed her arms. "Tell me you didn’t do what I think you did." Aria hesitated. "Maria " "Aria," Maria groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "Alejandro? Really?" Aria’s heart thudded. "It
Aria could still taste Alejandro on her lips as she sat at the desk in his study, a laptop in front of her. But there was no time to dwell on the way his kiss had made her feel she had work to do. Alejandro and Jace stood behind her, their presence heavy. The tension in the room was thick, but Aria tuned it out, fingers flying over the keyboard. She was in. The Varela Cartel wasn’t as secure as they thought. Their servers were old, their encryption sloppy. A few backdoors and she had access to their internal communications. "Got something," she murmured. Alejandro leaned over her shoulder, his breath warm against her neck. "What is it?" Aria swallowed, forcing herself to focus. "They have an encrypted message scheduled to send out in…" she checked the timestamp, her stomach twisting, "ten minutes." Jace cursed under his breath. "Can you stop it?" Aria smirked. "I can do more than that." Her fingers danced over the keys. She bypassed their firewalls, rerouted the mess
Alejandro didn’t hesitate as he pulled Aria by the wrist, guiding her through the alleyways with military precision. His movements were swift and purposeful, yet his grip on her never loosened, as though he couldn’t afford to let her go not even for a second. Her heart raced, her body flooded with adrenaline. Her hands shook slightly, not from fear but from the electric surge of being close to him, in the thick of the chaos, fighting side by side. They reached the street where their cars were parked, but there was no sign of Jace or the rest of the team. Alejandro cursed under his breath, scanning their surroundings. "Where the hell is Jace?" he muttered, his voice tight with frustration. Aria didn’t answer. She couldn’t her mind was too focused on the feeling of Alejandro’s hand clutching hers. His presence was a rock, his raw power almost tangible as they moved through the shadows, trying to stay out of sight. But then, the crackle of a radio interrupted the silence. Ale
Aria’s eyes fluttered open, her head pounding, her body stiff and sore. It took her a moment to register where she was lying on a cold, hard surface. The faint scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, mixing with something else something familiar. Alejandro. Her heart skipped a beat as she tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through her body, forcing her to lie back down. She groaned, her vision still blurry. She needed to see him, needed to know he was okay. As her senses slowly returned, she heard the soft sound of footsteps approaching. Her breath caught as the silhouette of a man emerged from the dim light. It was him. Alejandro’s face appeared before her, his features taut with worry, but his eyes never left hers. He knelt beside her, his strong hand cupping her cheek, a look of both relief and guilt written all over his face. "Aria," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You’re awake. Thank God." The relief in his voice made her heart ache. Despite everythin
Aria’s chest felt heavy as the deafening silence stretched between her and Alejandro. The study's air was thick, suffocating her with the weight of the truth she hadn’t yet spoken. She tried to find the right words, but Alejandro’s piercing gaze pinned her in place, demanding answers without a single word. “Why, Aria?” His voice was low, dangerous, and edged with betrayal. She swallowed hard, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap. “Alejandro, I… I didn’t mean for this to happen.” His jaw tightened, and the veins in his neck bulged as he leaned forward. “Didn’t mean for what to happen? For you to betray me? For you to work against me while you lay in my bed?” Her breath hitched, and her heart broke at the venom in his voice. “No, that’s not how it was. I… I was scared. I thought ” “You thought you could outsmart me,” he snapped, his voice rising, his hand slamming down on the desk. The sound echoed through the room, making Aria flinch. Tears welled in her eyes, but she
Alejandro’s fingers lingered on Aria’s cheek, his touch warm against her skin. For a brief moment, the chaos surrounding them faded, leaving only the two of them in their fragile world. “You shouldn’t look at me like that,” he murmured, his voice low, almost vulnerable. “Like what?” she asked, though her heart was racing, her pulse loud in her ears. “Like you trust me,” he replied, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw. “I’ve done nothing to deserve it.” Her hand came up, covering his, grounding him. “You’ve done everything to protect me. That’s more than enough.” Alejandro’s eyes darkened, and she felt the pull between them like a magnetic force. Without thinking, he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers with a softness that belied the storm inside him. Aria responded instinctively, her fingers curling into his shirt as she kissed him back. The kiss deepened, his grip tightening on her waist as if he feared letting her go. It was desperate, passionate an outlet for th
The atmosphere in the compound had shifted. A tense, unrelenting pressure weighed on everyone as Miguel's shadow loomed over their operations. Alejandro paced in his study, his jaw clenched, his mind running through possible counterattacks. The information Aria had uncovered earlier played in his head like a puzzle he couldn’t piece together fast enough. "Enough pacing," Juan muttered from the corner, his voice tight. "We need a plan, and we need it now." "I have a plan," Alejandro snapped. "But I need more details before I execute it. Miguel’s always been calculating he wouldn’t strike unless he knows he can cripple us." Juan leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "And that bloodied man he sent us earlier? What do you call that?" "A warning." Alejandro’s voice was low, dangerous. "But I don’t take kindly to warnings." Before Juan could respond, the door creaked open, and Aria stepped in, her eyes scanning the room cautiously. "You shouldn’t be here," Alejandro s
The hours stretched like an eternity as Aria hunched over her laptop, every nerve in her body taut. Miguel’s voice had disappeared from the communication lines, leaving her with nothing but the chaotic sounds of gunfire and shouted commands. She bit her lip hard enough to taste blood as her fingers flew across the keyboard, trying to break through Miguel’s firewall to disrupt his systems. Maria sat beside her, fidgeting nervously. "Aria, are you sure you can do this? What if Miguel traces it back to you?" "I don’t care," Aria snapped, her voice sharper than intended. She softened slightly when she saw Maria flinch. "Sorry, I just… I can’t let him hurt Alejandro." Maria gave her a hesitant nod but didn’t say anything else. Finally, Aria’s screen blinked, and she broke through to Miguel’s surveillance system. A live feed of the warehouse filled the screen, showing Alejandro and his men pinned behind crates as Miguel’s men advanced. Her breath caught at the sight of Alejandro, hi
Aria swallowed hard, her body stiffening under Alejandro’s hold. The warmth of his breath against her neck sent an unwelcome shiver down her spine, but she forced herself to stay still. She didn’t know what would happen if she moved—if she broke this fragile moment between them.But she had to.Slowly, she shifted, trying to slide out of his grip. His arm tightened instantly, his fingers splaying over her stomach in a silent refusal."Stay," he muttered, his voice deep and husky from sleep.Aria's breath hitched.Stay?Her heart pounded wildly. He was dangerous, controlling, and everything she should fear—but right now, he was just a man half-asleep, holding onto her as if letting go was the last thing he wanted.She closed her eyes for a brief moment, gathering her thoughts. "Alejandro, I need to get up."His grip didn't loosen. Instead, he exhaled heavily, pressing his forehead against the back of her head. "Just a little longer," he murmured.Aria's resolve wavered.This wasn’t the
The drive back to the estate was tense. Alejandro sat in the backseat with Aria, his side throbbing from the knife wound Miguel had given him, but the pain barely registered. His mind was still racing, his knuckles raw from the beating he had given Miguel.Aria’s hands were clenched into fists on her lap, her lips pressed into a thin line. He could feel the anger rolling off her in waves. He knew she wanted to say something—probably yell at him for being reckless—but she was holding it in.Juan, in the front seat, kept glancing at them through the rearview mirror. "We should’ve killed him," he muttered. "That bastard won’t stop until one of us is dead."Alejandro exhaled sharply, looking out the window. "I know."They had left Miguel unconscious, but not dead. Alejandro wanted him to suffer, to know that his time was running out. Killing him instantly would have been too easy.Beside him, Aria shifted, finally breaking her silence. "You scared me back there," she admitted, her voice b
Alejandro’s grip on his gun tightened as he stared at Miguel, his finger twitching near the trigger. The bastard had a gun to Aria’s head, and it took everything in him not to pull the trigger and damn the consequences."Drop your weapons," Miguel repeated, his smirk widening. "Or I put a bullet in her skull."Alejandro’s mind raced. His heart thundered against his ribs. He couldn’t risk Aria’s life, but giving up their weapons meant surrendering completely."Do it," Aria muttered under her breath, her eyes locking with his.His jaw clenched. He didn’t want to. Every instinct screamed at him to fight, to kill. But this wasn’t just about him anymore.Slowly, he lowered his gun and placed it on the ground. Juan did the same, his face twisted with rage.Miguel chuckled. "Smart choice." He shoved Aria forward, making her stumble toward Alejandro.Alejandro caught her instantly, his hands gripping her waist, steadying her."You okay?" he whispered, barely restraining the urge to turn and s
Alejandro sat in his car, parked in a dark alley on the outskirts of the city, his fingers tapping against the steering wheel. His entire body burned with the need for violence.Miguel had taken Sophia. The words echoed in his mind, fueling his rage. Every second that passed was a second too long. He wanted blood. He wanted to rip Miguel apart with his bare hands.The low rumble of an approaching car made his muscles tense. His gun was in his lap, ready. But when the car stopped beside him, he recognized it immediately.Aria.She got out first, followed by Juan, their faces set in determination.Alejandro pushed open his door, stepping into the cold night air. He barely gave Juan a glance before locking eyes with Aria. "You shouldn’t have come."Aria crossed her arms. "We both know you wouldn’t have waited if I didn’t."He exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair. He hated how right she was. He had been seconds away from going in blind, consequences be damned.Juan leaned again
Aria lay in Alejandro’s arms, her body still humming from the intensity of their night. His grip around her was firm, possessive, as if he feared she would disappear the moment he let go.But she wasn’t going anywhere.Her fingers trailed over his chest, tracing the faint scars that told stories she would never fully know. His heartbeat was steady beneath her touch, a stark contrast to the storm that awaited them outside these walls."You’re awake," Alejandro murmured, his voice thick with sleep.Aria smiled against his skin. "Couldn't sleep."He tightened his grip around her waist. "You're safe here."Safe. She wanted to believe that, but the reality was, as long as Miguel was out there, they would never truly be safe.She lifted her head to meet Alejandro’s gaze. "What happens next?"His jaw tightened, his dark eyes unreadable. "I find Miguel. And I end this."A lump formed in her throat. "And then what?"Alejandro exhaled slowly. "Then, I make sure nothing ever threatens us again."
The scent of gunpowder still lingered in the air as the dust settled. Bodies of fallen men lay scattered across the estate, and the distant sound of sirens reminded Aria that their battle was far from over.Alejandro kept her close, his arm wrapped protectively around her waist as his sharp eyes scanned the wreckage for any remaining threats.Juan, gripping his wounded shoulder, let out a groan. "That bastard got away again."Alejandro clenched his jaw. "Not for long."Aria swallowed hard, trying to steady her breathing. The rush of adrenaline was wearing off, leaving behind the weight of everything that had just happened.Miguel had escaped. He would regroup, and he would come back stronger.She turned to Alejandro. "What now?"His fingers traced along her jawline, his eyes dark with determination. "Now, we prepare for war."Aria’s heart pounded, but before she could respond, a soft groan caught their attention.Valentina.She lay a few feet away, blood pooling beneath her from a gun
Aria's scream echoed through the ruined hallway as the gunshot rang out.For a terrifying second, she thought Alejandro had been hit. But he was still standing, eyes blazing with fury.Instead, Juan stumbled back, a crimson bloom spreading across his shoulder. He gritted his teeth, clutching the wound but refusing to fall.Miguel smirked. "Consider that a warning shot."Alejandro's jaw tightened. His gun was still raised, but now there was a deadly calm in his eyes one that sent a chill down Aria’s spine."You think this is a game, Miguel?" Alejandro's voice was dangerously low, dripping with barely restrained rage.Miguel let out a lazy chuckle. "Oh, it's not a game, my friend. It's a message." He tilted his head. "Surrender now, and I’ll be generous. I might let you keep your life. Maybe even your little pet here." His gaze flickered to Aria, and Alejandro’s grip on his gun tightened.Aria clenched her fists, stepping closer to Alejandro. "If you think he's going to surrender to you
Smoke filled the air, thick and suffocating. The explosion had rocked the estate, sending panic through the halls. Aria coughed, trying to clear her lungs as Alejandro held her tightly against his chest, shielding her from the worst of the debris."Are you hurt?" His voice was rough, urgent, as he ran his hands over her arms, checking for injuries."I'm fine," she gasped, her ears still ringing from the blast.Juan burst into the room, gun in hand, his face set in a grim mask. "They've breached the outer perimeter! We need to move, now!"Alejandro didn't hesitate. He pulled Aria to her feet, his grip firm but careful. "Stay close to me."Gunfire erupted outside, sharp cracks echoing through the estate. The sound sent a shiver down Aria’s spine. This wasn’t just an attack this was an all-out war.Alejandro grabbed a pistol from the table and handed it to her. “If anyone gets too close, you shoot.”She took it without hesitation. She wasn’t just some helpless prisoner anymore she was in
The message from Miguel lingered in Aria’s mind long after Alejandro set his phone down. A cold shiver ran down her spine. This wasn’t just a threat it was a declaration of war.Alejandro’s expression was unreadable, but she could see the storm brewing in his dark eyes. His grip on the phone was tight, his knuckles turning white.“He’s pushing us,” Juan muttered, standing across the room with his arms crossed. “Trying to make us react first.”Alejandro exhaled sharply, standing abruptly. “Then let’s not disappoint him.”Aria’s heart pounded. “Alejandro, wait ”But he was already moving, grabbing his gun from the desk.Juan exchanged a glance with her. “You know him. He won’t stop until he gets the upper hand.”Aria rushed to Alejandro, placing a hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat racing beneath her palm. “We need to be smart about this. If we rush into whatever trap he’s setting, we’ll lose.”Alejandro’s jaw clenched. “I’m not letting him take anything from me.”His eyes burned